Whittling on the Land: The Next Short Course from ULLI

 

Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present our next short course:

Whittling on the Land:

Historical Perspectives on Local and Regional Folk Art

Presenter: Jan Laude

Dates &Time: Monday’s 1:00-2:15 March  3, 10, 24 and 1:00-3:00 March 17 

Location: Pleasant Hill Community House 

Note: Class size limited to 15. Registration is first come, first served.

Content: Week 1 explores these questions: What is Folklore? and What is Folk Art? Week 2 examines local folk art wooden doll traditions with examples from the Pioneer Museum and corresponding regional traditions from the novel The Dollmaker by Harriette Simpson Arnow (1954). In week 3 the movie “The Dollmaker” will be shown. The final week will be a discussion of insights gained about the Folk Art wooden doll traditions in the local and regional area. Note: Reading The Dollmaker, is not required, however, it would add to your understanding and enjoyment of the course. This classic Appalachian work of literature is approximately 600 pages long.

Presenter: Jan Laude’s academic background in Folklore includes an MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University and a PHD from Indiana University with a double major in Folklore and American Studies and a minor in Women’s Studies. Jan also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Carnegie Mellon University.  While working as a folklorist, Jan explored numerous avenues of American women’s Folklore via teaching, research and writing. Jan is looking forward to sharing her knowledge of, passion for and delight in Folklore with all class members.

To Register:  Send your request to register with your check payable to ULLI and your email address to ULLI Registrar PO Box 621 Pleasant Hill TN 38578. You may also email ullipleasanthill@gmail.com requesting registration. You will receive confirmation by email.  

Course charge: $10 for ULLI members; $20 for non-members.  Become a member: $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI PO Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.). As always donations are appreciated.

Next from ULLI: "A Day Without a Mexican"

 

“A Day Without a Mexican”

A Video Presentation

Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 3:00 pm

Adshead Hall in Fletcher Assisted Living

Using humor as the vehicle for a serious message, the movie drives home the many ways immigrants make daily life affordable, pleasing, or even possible. When the world loses people of Latino origins, in a “Rapture-like” occurrence, the many ways that everyone’s lives are intertwined are made pretty clear.

Although initially released in 2000, the movie couldn’t be more topical and relevant. Following the movie, discussion and suggestions for appealing to members of the TN State Legislature and the US Congress will be available

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. 

Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.

From ULLI: Cybercrime and Elder Fraud

 

Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to share:

Cybercrime and Elder Fraud

Donnie Moody

Director of Cumberland County Parks and Recreation

10:00 am on Friday, November 8, 2024

Pleasant Hill Community House

According to the FBI, “Elder fraud complaints to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (or IC3) increased by 14% in 2023, and associated losses increased by about 11%,  according to IC3’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report, released April 30…. Tech support scams were the most widely reported kind of elder fraud in 2023….Personal data breaches, confidence and romance scams, non-payment or non-delivery scams, and investment scams rounded out the top five most common types of elder fraud reported to IC3 last year.” (“Elder Fraud in Focus,” April 30 2024) 

Donnie Moody, Director of Parks and Recreation for Cumberland County will provide useful information to help protect from and respond attempts to defraud seniors on the internet. Please join us at the Pleasant Hill Community House so that we can help ourselves and one another.

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. 

Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.

From ULLI: Addiction Concerns Among Older Adults

 

Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to share:

Addiction Concerns Among Older Adults

Emily White

Cumberland Prevention Coalition

6:00 pm, October 18

Adshead Hall

Snacks will be provided. 

The Cumberland Prevention Coalition of Cumberland County provides Prevention Services. Their goal is to reduce substance abuse in our community.

Addiction among seniors is a significant problem.According to the website of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, 

• There are 2.5 million older adults with an alcohol or drug problem
• Six to eleven percent of elderly hospital admissions are a result of alcohol or drug problems — 14percent of elderly emergency room admissions, and 20 percent of elderly psychiatric hospital admissions.
• Widowers over the age of 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the U.S.
• Older adults are hospitalized as often for alcoholic related problems as for heart attacks.

Emily White of the Coalition will provide information about the issue generally, and about issues and resources in Cumberland County.

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. 

Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.

A Collaboration of ULLI and Pleasant Hill Community Church

 

Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to share:

A Performance of the Tennessee Tech Clarinet Choir:

A Part of the Diana Riggs Concert Series 

Pleasant Hill Community Church

Pleasant Hill, Tennessee

September 29, 2024

Pre-Concert Presentation at 2:30 pm

Concert at 3:00 pm

 

The Tennessee Tech Clarinet Choir will perform in the sanctuary of Pleasant Hill Community Church on September 29 as part of the Diana Riggs Concert Series. The Clarinet Choir is dedicated to performing energetic, lively, and engaging repertoire.  Prior to the performance Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is cosponsoring a lecture presentation by TTU Clarinet Professor, Mark J. Cramer, DMA, Director of the Choir.

The Group performed at the International Clarinet Association’s 50th Clarinet Fest in Denver, Colorado in 2023. Under the direction of Dr. Cramer the group is committed to performing works by contemporary composers, including the works of current composition majors enrolled in the University. 

There is no admission charge for concerts in the Diana Riggs Series, but donations are gratefully welcomed.

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. 

Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.

A Second Opportunity for Short Fiction with Ron Johnson

 

Another Opportunity: More Good Short Fiction to Read and Discuss presented by Ron Johnson

DATE & TIME: Every Friday 10:00-11:30 am, starting June 28, ending July 26.

The ULLI short story course led by Ron Johnson and scheduled to begin on May 17th is currently full. There were a small number of people who expressed interest in this course but were unable to take it at this time. Ron would like to offer a repeat of this course if we can get a sufficient number of people to have a good discussion of each of the short stories. The course would be offered from 10:00 AM until 11:30 on six consecutive Fridays beginning June 28th and ending July 26th. It would meet in either Uplands Heritage Hall or Pleasant Hill Community Church. If you have an interest in taking this course, which focuses on the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Jhumpa Lahiri, please contact Ron at ronjohnson25@gmail.com as soon as possible.

 Ron Johnson is the course leader. Before he became a pastor, Ron taught English and American literature in high school and college. He holds several degrees: M.Div, MA in teaching, and a Doctorate in English and American literature.

This course will focus on six stories from the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Interpreter of Maladies, a collection of stories by Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri, the daughter of Indian parents, was born in London but moved with her parents to

the United States when she was three. Wikipedia says this about the author and her work:

“The stories address sensitive dilemmas in the lives of Indians or Indian immigrants, with themes such as marital difficulties, the bereavement over a stillborn child, and the disconnection between first and second generation United States immigrants. Lahiri later wrote, "When I first started writing I was not conscious that my subject was the Indian-American experience. What drew me to my craft was the desire to force the two worlds I occupied to mingle on the page as I was not brave enough, or mature enough, to allow in life."

I think you will discover that, though the subject matter of most of the stories is “the Indian- American experience,” their themes are universal.

The course will meet on six successive Fridays, beginning June 28th , from 10:00 am t0 11:30. Its vitality depends upon each member coming to the weekly meetings having read and thought about the particular story for the day and being prepared to discuss it with one another. Each week a group of discussion-starter questions will be emailed to each participant. In order to facilitate discussion, the class will have a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 15 persons.

REGISTRATION: Contact Ron Johnson: email-ronjohnson25@gmail.com; call: 931-371-1781. First Come; First Served. As this is a repeat, act as soon as possible.

Course charge: $10 for ULLI members; $20 for non-members. Checks should be made out to ULLI. (Become a member:$50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI c/o PHCC PO Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.) Checks for this course can be mailed to ULLI at the above PO Box. One may also give the course fee directly to Ron at the first class. As always donations are greatly appreciated.

New from ULLI: Elizabeth Winkler on Caving and Research

 Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute is pleased to present:

Project Caving: How a sport caver fell in love with cave mapping and scientific research

with 

Elizabeth Winkler

Adshead Hall in Fletcher Assisted Living.

Friday, May 10,6:30-8:00 pm; and Saturday, May 11, 9:00-10:30 am

Potluck Dinner: Friday at 6:00 pm. Share your specialty with other participants. If you have them, please bring your own plate, glass, and utensils.

Continental Breakfast, Saturday at 8:30 am

While working in Mexico as a professor, Elizabeth Winkler saw an ad in the student  newspaper about an adventure club. The following weekend, about 20 Mexican students and other adults went to a remote area to go caving. Armed with a construction helmet with flashlights taped to it, she followed them into a cave. She was told, "it is a little humid".  Suddenly, she was swimming through the cave to other passages! After that, she learned how to do vertical work and spent almost every weekend exploring caves for adventure including some of the deepest pits in the world. Upon returning to the US, she got involved with the Cave Research Foundation, and has spent the last 30 years exploring and mapping Mammoth Cave. This experience opened opportunities for her to map caves all over the world as well as help scientists with their research in caves.

Become a member of Uplands Lifelong Learning Institute: Your membership is vital to supporting and continuing these varied and interesting programs. $50 annually with checks mailed to ULLI P O Box 621, Pleasant Hill 38578.  As always donations to ULLI are greatly appreciated. 

Consider Volunteering with ULLI. Our events require some help with set up and take down. If you would be willing to volunteer, contact ULLI at ullipleasanthill@gmail.com.